FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Statement attributable to:
Michael Munger, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
"The American Academy of Family Physicians appreciates that Congress is focusing attention on the escalating cost of health care through two provisions of the Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018.
"This legislation establishes direct primary care membership fees as allowable medical expenses, now permitting individuals to use their health savings accounts to pay their direct primary care membership fee. The AAFP is fully supportive of the direct primary care model and this provision would make it more accessible for patients.
"We are also pleased that the legislation removes restrictions on over-the-counter medicines for flexible spending accounts, with menstrual care products now included.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Congress on policies that reduce health care costs so that more Americans have accessible and affordable primary health care."
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Munger, contact Megan Moriarty, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6052, or mmoriarty@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.